I appreciate that you bring up the sociological component of religious/metaphysical desire. I also think that your ending example points to a necessary reality -- decline will not be revitalized generically or abstractly, but through local contexts. That's my opinion, anyway. Ecclesiology may pendulum swing away from the 90's mega-church experiment with an emphasis on the local church and its ability to capture the ingredients of community with metaphysical honesty.

Always appreciate your storytelling and poignant conversations.